Hello, Malang! (Part 2: The Classic Beauty)

My last visit to Malang was on 2010, for the work purpose. Although I didn't have much time to explore much, I did adore the city. I loved the weather, the foods (nasi mawut ftw!), the calm and easy atmosphere (Malang is really famous for its local soccer club supporter fan base, which's like Indonesian's version hooligans, but I personally think Malang's people are most likely polite and very hospitable) and most of all, I loved the classical ambiance of the city.

The city has developed for the last 3 years - numbers of malls and amusement parks are increasing, but I love how the government well manage its classical and vintage-y looks. They still preserve some old housings and buildings that was built on the Dutch colonial era. Even better, the government make the heritage as a tourism highlight and really concern about their handling. There's an annual event called 'Festival Malang Tempo Doeloe', a kind of bring-the-old-time feast that focuses on history and old culture of Malang. If only other cities in Indonesia could be this concern about the heritage... :(

Anyway, this time, I came to some of the famous beauty classic city landmarks, such as:

1. Jalan Ijen
It's a big boulevard near downtown, lined by awesome and well preserved colonial housings. Some houses still have Dutch name on their walls. The street also decorated by palm trees and flowers, with wide pedestrian path. Very Europe-ish. 
Our driver said that on Sunday morning, this street is used for car-free activities and fulled with people jogging or biking. Fortunately, we passed the streets on the afternoon, and able to see the the street's view with sunset background. Really pretty.

2. Inggil Restaurant
It serves Indonesian foods (mostly Javanese) and located near city hall. The restaurant has a big hall with bamboo roof and displays lots of antiques stuffs in both sides of the wall. From old advertisement posters to vintage radios to photos of some local notable figures and patriots. 

one of the resto's corner, with walls full old maps and portrait of patriots

old advertisement posters

the entrance of the restaurant

There's also a stage that specially set up for traditional entertainment, such as keroncong or gamelan. All of the waiters wear traditional Javanese shirts and the radio played keroncong musics. Oh, and the food was quite great, too :D Love the sambel apel!

Inggil Restaurant also has a small souvenir shop next to the entrance gate. The owner also has a small museum not too far from the resto, and established a foundation focuses in preserving Malang's heritage. The foundation is the one who create Malang Tempo Doeloe Festival.  

3. Candi Singosari and Candi Sumberawan

Malang was a part of Singosari Kingdom back then. There are some historical temples in rural Malang, used to be worshiping sites in the Hinduism era. Ironically, some of the statues are missing or stolen, and some morons wrote awful graffiti on the temples :( 

But when we came there, Candi Singosari was under restoration and being cleaned, and Candi Sumberawan is having some garden reconstruction. I hope it can repair their loveliness and really hope the government or local people will realize how important the candis for their city's tourism (and income)

Candi Sumberawan

Candi Singosari

There are still others beautiful classic buildings in Malang, such as Tugu Hotel, Kayutangan Church (very pretty! and it's open for public), even some schools are still using old Ducth architect buildings (e.g. Cor Jesu High School). Seriously, if you're a fetish for a old or ancient buildings like me, you should go to Malang. And take as many pictures as you can :p 

We also went to Batu Secret Zoo (also known as Jatim Park) and Eco Green Park in Batu. Those are perfect place to spend a family holiday.

Find out more about Malang here. I myself really love to come back there as soon as I can.